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Samsung faces $14.8B fine over Apple 3G patent bans

Samsung could be fined up to $14.8 Billion by the European commission for attempting to use standard-essential 3G patents to ban sales of the iPhone and iPad in Europe, according to a new report. The fines could total 10 percent of a company’s worldwide revenues — Samsung took in $148.9 billion in 2011. While Apple has sought bans due to infringements of specific, non-standard patents, Samsung has often used its standard-essential patents to seek bans. Because Apple agreed to pay a licensing fee to Samsung for those 3G patents, the commission decided Samsung’s requests for sales bans were unjustified. An official statement of objections was issued by the commission, and Samsung will respond before the commission makes any further decisions. [via The Guardian]